Tool box



July 3,1928. 1,675,484

J. E. coE

TOOL BOX Filed Aug. 28, 1926 FIG 2 H2115 www,

Patented July 3, 1928.

UNITED STATES JOHN COE, OF JAMESTOWN, 'NEW YORK.

TOOL BOX.

Application led August 28,1926. Serial Nm 132,175.

This invention relates to an improvement in a tool box, and moreparticularly in a toolbox of the collapsible type.

The primary object of this invention 1s to provide a tool box having ahandle and a plurality of separate trays, which handle not onlyfunctions to carry thebox, but also acts under -a downward pressuretoshift either part of all the trays laterally, thus opening the boxeither wholly or in part.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a tool boxcomprising a plurality of separate trays pivotallyA connected by strapsvincludingr a single. bottom tray, and two tiers of trays supported onSaid bottom tray, whereby the lateral shifting of said supported trayswill uncover said lower tra (lther objects of this invention will appearfrom a consideration of the following description taken in connectionwith the drawings, which forni a part thereof, and 1n which Fig. 1 is anend elevation of a tool box embodying this invention, the tool box beingclosed;

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Figure 1, with the tool box partly opened; y

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Figure 2, showing the tool box completelyopened;

- Fig. 4 is a. side-'elevation of the tool box closed;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the box completely opened, as shown in Figure3;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the upper compartments fully closed; and

Fig. 7 is an end view of a portion of the tool box illustrating amodification of the handle mounting. f

The tool box embodying this invention, and designated in the drawing bythe number 10, comprises a plurality of separate trays. Each of thetrays is open at the top so that any tools therein can be readilyreached when the tool box is open, as shown in Figures 3 and 5. Thetrays in the embodiment illustrated comprises a lower tray 11, a pair ofintermediate trays 12 and a pair of upper trays 13.

The tray 11 is wider than the trays 12 and 13, which are arranged inpairs forming'two tiers of trays supported on the tray 11. Hence, asshown in the drawing, the trays 12 together cover the tray 11, whileeach tray 12 is covered by a tray 13.

The trays are connected by means of a plurality of straps 14, 15 and 16.The straps 14, which are the longest, are each pivoted to the tray 11and to the trays 12 and `13 in one tier, while each strap 15 is pivotedto the tray 11 and one tray 12 and each strap 16 is pivoted to a tray 12and the tray 13, which covers it.- These straps are arranged in twosets, those of each set being parallel, and extend across the ends ofthe tool boxeach inclined upwardly toward'the middle when the box isclosed, as in Figure 1, and away from the middle when the box is open,as in Figure 3. Due to this pivotal connection of the straps to thetrays it is obvious that when the trays 12,13 are shifted laterally toone another, they first separatel and then approach each other, swingingupon the pivots. 'The result is that when the box is open the traysstand in stepped arrangement, each, tray 13 beyondv and resting on theouter edge of the tray 12 below it, and each tray 12 beyond and restingon the outer edge of the tray 11.

The trays 13 are closed by covers 17 hinged at the outer edges to thetrays. In order to lock the tool box 10, loops 18 are secured at theinner edges of the covers through which a padlock 19 is passed.

The box is provided with a handle 2O attach-ed by links 21, 22 to theends of the tray 12. The upper ends of the links 21, 22 are joined by arod 23, over which a tube 24 may be slipped, if desired. The connectionof the linl'ts 21, 22 to the tray 12 is pivotal, preferably on the lowerpivots of the straps 16 The weight of the box, when lifted by thehandle, will automatically bring the trays into the closed position,because the pull being on the trays 12 will cause them, if not in thatposition, to swing over thereto and the straps 14 will at the same timeswing the trays 13 in, the straps 16 acting as guides.

Moreover, if the box be unlocked but closed, downward pressure on thehandle will cause the trays 12 to shift laterally on the straps 14, 15and consequently. cause the trays 13 to shift laterally on the straps14,` 16. By directing the pressure toward either side, onlv the selectedtier of, trays will open. F or example, to open the box as in Figure 2,pressure on the handle 20 was di rected toward the right side. If it bedesired to open the other side of the box shown in Figure 2 pressuredirected toward the-left side should be applied, which will shift theleft tier of trays outwardly.

When the box is open, either. partly as in Figure 2, or completely as inFigure 3, a direct upward pull on the handle 20 will bring all the traysinto the position of Figure 1. When the box is completely' open, oneside or the other can be closed according to the direction in whichA thepull is directed.

' arms 26 and obviously the studs 27, by

which the straps 25 are connected to the tray 11 act as fulcrums onwhich the trays 12 are shifted laterally in either direction, accordingto that in which the force is applied to the handle 20.

While two embodiments of this invention have been shown and described,applicant is not limited thereto, since it is obvious that otherembodiments can be made without departing from the spirit anl scope ofthis invention as set forth in the following claims.

Having thus set forth my invention, what I claim as new and for which Idesire protection by Letters Patent is:

1. A tool box, having a handle, a plurality of trays arranged one aboveanother so that when the tool box is closed each tray rests on the onebelow, means for so connecting said handle to certain of said trays thatdownward pressure on said handle will cause certain of said trays toshift laterally, and thus o en said box.

2. A .too box having a plurality of trays comprising` a bottom tray, apair of intermediate trays resting upon and'closing said bottom tray anda pair of top trays, each resting upon and closing one of saidintermediate tra-ys. and a single means for simultaneously shifting bothsaid top and intermediate trays laterally -to uncover said bottom andintermediate trays.

3. A tool box having a plurality ofA trays, comprising a bottom tray, apair of intermediate trays over said bottom tray, a pair of top traysover said intermediate trays, parallel straps pivotally connecting each1ntermediate tray to said bottom tray and to the top tray over cachintermediate tray,

Aa handle, and links connecting said handle to certainof said trays,whereby a downward pressure on said handle transmitted to either saidintermediate trays will cause said tray and the top tray over it toshift laterally:

4. A tool box having a plurality of trays, comprising a bottom tray, apair of intermediatetrays resting upon said bottom tray, a pair of toptrays resting upon said intermediate trays, a handle, means connectingsaid handle to certain of said trays, where-i by a vertical downwardpressure will shift all said top and intermediate trays laterally, and alateral downward press-ure will shift only one intermediate tray and onetop tray laterally.

5. A tool box comprising fixed and movable trays, covers, links, andhandle, said handle being pivotally connected to said trays through saidlinks and, by lateral pressure, adapted to laterally extend half of saidmovable trays and by an upward pull to retract all of said extendedtrays.

6. A tool box comprising a base, intermediate and top trays, covers andhandle, links pivotally engaging said trays with each other and withsaid handle, said handle, by a downward pressure, laterally extendingsaid intermediate and top trays and by an upward pull retracting saidintermediate and top trays.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my 06 signature.

JOHN E. COE.

